02.08. Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight The Cherubim The word “cherub “is of doubtful interpretation; it probably signifies “like the majesty. “The plural is “cherubim “—I believe emblematic of those whom God employs to communicate His mind or to perform His will. We first read of the cherubim in Genesis 3:24— “He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim... to keep the way of the tree of life “—here evidently emblematic of angelic ministry. Next they are seen on the mercy-seat of the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:20), of pure gold, a continuation of the golden propitiatory, therefore Divine—an emblem of the Eternal Spirit. The Mercy-seat, or Propitiatory, represents the mercy or loving-kindness of God, which is from everlasting to everlasting. The cherubim were beaten out of the two ends of the mercy-seat, and their wings, meeting above, formed a complete circle. Their faces were towards the mercy-seat, setting forth the fact that the atoning work of Christ was the centre purpose of God, the Eternal Spirit foretelling and foreshadowing it before its accomplishment, and keeping up the remembrance of it throughout eternity. In Incarnation the Spirit of Jehovah rested on the Man Christ Jesus, fitting Him for His earthly service; and “through the Eternal Spirit He offered Himself without spot to God” (Hebrews 9:14). Then, as the Priest in resurrection, He received the anointing of the Holy Spirit for His priestly and eternal service in Heaven. The various emblems used in Scripture to describe the operations of the Spirit of God are exceedingly beautiful and significant.

First, there is the overshadowing or fluttering wing— “The Spirit of God moved (or fluttered) upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings” (Deuteronomy 32:11). When the Spirit descended on Christ at His baptism, it was in the form of a dove (Luke 3:22). Christ risen and exalted has received the gifts of the Spirit, which He has distributed for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of His body (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Divine And Spiritual Agency The Cherubim again figure largely, and are minutely described, in the prophecy of Ezekiel, as the living creatures of the vision. Here they appear to symbolise the various characteristics of prophetic ministry—the face of a man, showing sympathy and intelligence; the ox, patient perseverance; the keen eye, lofty flight, strong wing of the eagle; the lion emblem of boldness and courage. The four beasts, or living ones, in Revelation 4:6-8, represent the Church in resurrection glory, as God’s agency for earth and Heaven, for time and for Eternity. When John was caught up into Heaven, in fulfillment of the word of the Lord in John 21:22, he saw a throne and One seated on it. Four-and-twenty elders were seated round about the throne, representing those of a former dispensation, who, having died in Christ, rise first when Jesus comes: all who have departed in the faith of Christ from Abel downwards, previous to the Pentecostal dispensation.

Then we read— “In the midst of the throne and round about the throne were four living ones. “In chapter five, the Lamb as it had been slain is seen standing in the midst of the throne, and these four living ones are connected with Him. They are symbolic of the Church of the Firstborn, written in Heaven—those who by the Pentecostal Spirit are baptised into one body, one spirit with the Lord. When to these we add the multitude that no man can number, we see the whole of those who share the first resurrection. The two large cherubim in the Holiest of the Temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6:23-28; 2 Chronicles 3:10-13) represent, I believe, the ministry of all the redeemed in its heavenly exercise. They were of olive tree or oily wood, type of the spiritual body, serving in the power of the Spirit of God; of image work, as conformed to the image of the risen Christ. Overlaid with gold, as partakers of a glory which is Divine; their height, ten cubits; the wings reach from wall to wall, meeting in the centre, over the mercy-seat of the Lord. The ministry of the redeemed in glory will be extensive, having the mystery of redeeming love in Christ Jesus for its centre, filling all Heaven, and continuing through all eternity. The Chariot Of The Cherubim

David gave to Solomon “gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah” (1 Chronicles 28:18). Psalms 68:17, appears to throw light on this subject— “The chariot (singular) of God is twenty thousand [two myriads], even thousands of angels [or changed ones]: the Lord [Adonahy] is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. “We may compare with this Deuteronomy 33:2— “Jehovah came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; He shined forth from Mount Paran, and He came with ten thousands of saints “[holy myriads]. Also in Jude 1:14, the prophecy of Enoch— “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands [myriads] of His saints “[holy ones]. The chariot of the cherubim and the two cherubim in the Most Holy Place appear to be the same, and to represent those holy ones whom God employs as the vehicle of His visitation to His creatures, the ministers of His will, and the manifesters of His glory. The whole illimitable universe of God will be filled with the manifestation of Divine grace and glory, and God will make His redeemed ones the especial ministers of this manifestation. For God will “head up together all things in Christ, both which are in the heavens and which are on the earth “; and the Church is the fulness of Him that filleth all in all (Ephesians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:21-22).

—Our Daily Homily